Alonso apologises for Schumacher collision

Fernando Alonso has apologised for the first lap clash that sent Mick Schumacher spinning down the order in the Turkish Grand Prix and cost the Alpine driver two penalty license points.

Alonso started fifth but was spun himself when struck by Pierre Gasly in the melee at the opening corner.

Attempting to recover, Alonso then hit Schumacher at turn four for which he was handed a five-second penalty and two points on his licence.

It was unfortunate for Schumacher, who had qualified a career-best P14, and Alonso said: “I tried to overtake, I thought I was alongside him but obviously it was a late move.

“We touched each other. Unfortunately, he had a spin and I got the benefit. I took it, of course.

"I am sorry to have the collision with him and obviously that happened only because I was P14. I should not be in that position.”

Alonso bemoans lack of luck

Fifth place was Alonso’s highest start since making his F1 return this year but he ended the race in P16 after a difficult day and was left bemoaning how a lack of luck seems to hit him every time his car is competitive.

He added: “The luck seems to keep avoiding us this year big time, so I guess we are accumulating a lot for next year."

Speaking of the initial incident with Pierre Gasly, which resulted in a five-second penalty for the AlphaTauri driver, Alonso said: “I didn’t see on TV. I think the first corner is always difficult in these conditions.

“We were nearly for the first time on these we tyres at the start all together so these things can happen. Unfortunately, it happened today to us when we are top five.

“It’s frustrating that when we are not competitive we have a very boring race and when we are competitive we have crazy weather, crazy things happening. So it is frustrating, disappointing.

“We seem historically this year a little bit less competitive on intermediate tyres and today the whole race was intermediate, we didn’t even put on the dry tyres, so we need to improve our competitive level on that compound.”

Related

Turkish Grand Prix

Hamilton 'giving no energy' to Mercedes engine troubles

• October 17, 2021 08:00

Red Bull

Perez podium a "great shot of confidence" for Red Bull title tussle - Horner

• October 15, 2021 17:10